UIDAI dismisses reports of Aadhaar data leak

The Unique Identification Authority of India, UIDAI Thursday dismissed reports of Aadhaar details being made available on payment of 500 rupees by anonymous sellers, asserting that its system is secure and any misuse can be traced and action taken as it maintains complete log of various functions.

In a statement issued in New Delhi, the UIDAI reiterated that there has not been any Aadhaar data breach. It said, the Aadhaar data including biometric information is fully safe and secure.

The Aadhaar-issuing body said it has given the search facility for grievance redressal to designated personnel and state government officials to help residents, that too only upon entering their Aadhaar number.

It said, UIDAI maintains complete log and traceability of the facility and any misuse can be traced and appropriate action taken.

The reported case appears to be instance of misuse of the grievance redressal search facility.

UIDAI said, since it maintains full log and traceability of the facility, legal action including FIR against the persons involved in the case, is being initiated.

UIDAI said even its grievance redressal search facility offers only limited access to name and other details and has no access to biometric details.

The UIDAI said Aadhaar number is not a secret number and is to be shared with authorised agencies whenever an Aadhaar holder wants to avail a service or benefit of government welfare schemes.

It said, the mere availability of Aadhaar number will not be a security threat or will not lead to financial or other fraud, as for a successful authentication, fingerprint or iris scan of individual is also required.

It added that claims of bypassing or duping the Aadhaar enrolment system are totally unfounded.